Making a Difference Together: Stories from Our Community

We are excited to share how our churches, St. Paul's and St. Johannes Lutheran, along with our partners, Next Steps of South Carolina and the Navigation Center, are working to support people in our community. We believe in helping our neighbors when they face tough times, showing them that they are not alone.

This week, we want to introduce you to three individuals whose lives we were able to impact:

First, there's Charles (in the yellow shirt), a 61-year-old disabled veteran. Since February 2025, he's faced a lot of challenges with his military and disability benefits being cut, restored, and then reduced again. On top of that, he manages diabetes and severe asthma, which make it hard for him to walk. His fiancée is also in the hospital, undergoing dialysis. These difficulties have left Charles feeling very depressed, and he recently lost his home. He has many financial and medical needs. The Navigation Center recognized his struggles and made him a priority. They asked for our help with his car insurance, and St. Johannes and Next Steps immediately agreed to provide that support. Charles is a good person whose world feels like it's falling apart, and we are committed to following up with him to offer continued assistance.

Next, we helped Randy (white shirt), a 67-year-old man who has recently been diagnosed with early-stage dementia. The Social Security office informed him that he had been overpaid in the past and is now deducting the amount from his monthly benefits. The Navigation Center is helping Randy find a part-time job, but in the meantime, he has fallen behind on his electric bill. Understanding how important it is to have electricity, St. Johannes and Next Steps stepped in to provide enough funds to ensure his power stayed on.

Finally, we met Missy (not pictured), a 65-year-old woman with a wonderfully positive outlook, despite recent challenges. She recently lost her job due to a medical problem that required her to be hospitalized. While she's now recovering and has found new work, she needed some help with her electric bill. St. Johannes and Next Steps were happy to assist her, making sure her electricity remained on so she could focus on her recovery and new job.

These stories show how vital our collaborations are. Each person we help has faced unique struggles, and it's through the combined compassion and resources of St. Johannes and St. Paul's Lutheran Churches, Next Steps of South Carolina, and the Navigation Center that we can offer not just financial aid, but also hope and dignity. We are dedicated to supporting our community members by providing practical help and reminding them that they are valued and cared for.